USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania : from its first beginnings to the present time, including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume I > Part 48
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Under date of December 2, 1754, James Alexander, Esq. (mentioned on page 266), wrote from the city of New York to the Governor of Pennsylvania as follows:
"I am heartily sorry to hear that the Connecticut people have so far prevailed as to corrupt some of the Northampton [County] people to join them. I believe more vigorous measures will be wanting to nip this affair in the bud than writing to Governors and magistrates, or employing a few rangers as I before proposed. I question if less will do than a superior number to Connecticut men, to apprehend men, women and children that come, and bring them to Philadelphia-the women and children to be shipped off to
* See "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, II : 208.
See folio 37 of the "Penn Manuscripts," mentioned on page 30.
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Governor Fitch, the men to be imprisoned till they enter bail or list for Ohio. This done twice or thrice will terrify others from coming, and £1,000 or £2,000 laid out now in this service may save scores of thousands that it may afterwards cost. I doubt not Connecti- cut will amuse and give good words till a great number be settled, and then bid defiance."
On December 24th Governor Morris wrote the Hon. Thomas Penn -then the head of the Proprietary family, and residing in England- as follows* :
"The Connecticut affair, notwithstanding what passed at Albany, has taken a very bad turn, and a purchase is actually made from the Indians for the 41º of Latitude, beginning ten miles to the eastward of the East Branch of the Susquehanna, and ex- tending westward two degrees of Longitude. Soon after I returned from New Castle I wrote to Colonel Johnson and sent for Hendrick down to this place, but thought it proper not to write to the Governor of Connecticut till Hendrick had taken some measures with the Six Nations ; but, upon being informed that some of the purchasers who had been over to Wyomack to take a view of the lands, had drawn in some of the inhabitants of this Province to join them-who were returned with them to a grand meeting to be held November 20, 1754, at Hartford-I thought it right to state the whole matter in a letter to the Governor of Connecticut, whereupon I wrote a long letter, of which you will have a copy in your box. * * Numbers in this Province are ready to join the Connecti- cut people and take titles under them."
About this time John Shikellimy (Tachnechdorus)t complained to Governor Morris that "some foreigners and strangers who live on the other side of New York, and have nothing to do in these parts, are coming like flocks of birds to disturb us in our possession of them." Furthermore, Conrad Weiser wrote the Governor that Shikellimy had come over to Heidelberg from Shamokin to see him, and, said Weiser,} "he told me that the Indians about Shamokin had been informed that a lot of people from New England had formed themselves into a body to settle the lands on the Susquehanna, and especially Scahantowano [Wyoming], and that against the advice of their superiors. * * And the said chief [Shikellimy] desired to make it known that whosoever of the whites should venture to settle any land at Wyomock, or there- about, belonging hitherto to the Indians, will have his creatures killed first, and then if they do not desist they themselves would be killed, without distinction-let the consequence be what it would. I found he had intelligence from the Indians up the river that some of the New England people had been there spying the lands."
Under the convoy of Daniel Claus "King" Hendrick arrived in Philadelphia January 8, 1755, accompanied by the following Mohawk chiefs: Brant (Conagaratuchqua), § Seth ( Otchenuchyata), Joseph, Johan -. nes (Tecarryoghan), his brother Nicholas (Sagotenyuchta), Jacob, and Brant's son Nicholas (Canadyora). According to Watson ("Annals of Philadelphia," II : 163) these Indians, during their stay in the city, occupied the shed in the State House yard mentioned on page 232.
A few days later twelve Cherokee Indians reached Philadelphia on their way southward. Two years previously, while a war was being waged against their nation in their own country by the French Indians, these warriors had been captured by the latter and conveyed to Canada. Having escaped from captivity they were now homeward-bound-being provided with a pass furnished them by the Commissioners of Indian Affairs at Albany, under date of December 9, 1754. The fugitives were kindly received in Philadelphia by both the Mohawks and the Govern- ment authorities, and were furnished accommodations in the State House
* See "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, II : 224.
t See pages 184 and 267. ¿ See "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, II : 259.
¿ He was from Schoharie, and had been at the Albany conference of 1754.
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yard. The day following their arrival, at a meeting of the Provincial Council with the Indians in the State House, "King" Hendrick, "on behalf of the Cherokees, thanked the Government for their kind recep- tion and generous entertainment ; * * and then, in behalf of the Six Nations-as they were in alliance with the Cherokees-made an elegant compliment to the Government for their brotherly and compassionate usage of these distressed Indians, and commended the Proprietaries, Governor and people of this Province as having, more than any other of the Colonies, manifested on all occasions a particular tenderness and affection for the Indians " !*
In view of these fulsome phrases it seems unnecessary to state that the Mohawk chieftans were being well taken care of by Governor Mor- ris and his right-hand man Richard Peters. In the language of to-day the "City of Brotherly Love" was, to a degree, thrown "wide open" to the visitors. The brief extracts from the letters of Governor Morris which we have given show that he was a shrewd and politic manager of the Proprietary interests, and knew how to go about the accomplish- ment of his desires with respect to the "untutored savage." But, on the other hand, Hendrick was in equal measure wily and crafty (Sir William Johnson referred to him only a short time before this as "the politician, Hendrick"), and he was prompted by more than one reason to compli- ment and flatter the Pennsylvanians at this time.
Governor Morris and members of the Provincial Council held various conferences with "King" Hendrick and his Mohawks, in the course of which Hendrick did all the talking on the part of the Indians. The old "King" complained that the Government of New York did not use the Six Nations well, particularly in land matters. He also stated that the nations of the Confederacy were "divided amongst themselves-some of every tribe being for the English, and some for the French ; but we, the Mohawks, boast that we are of the English side." Hendrick was asked to undertake, along with Colonel Johnson, the breaking of The Susquehanna Company's deed. In reply he saidt:
"We agree with you that the deed should be destroyed. We agree with you that it is a false proceeding. We will give you our assistance, but you know that we cannot destroy the deed ourselves-that would be another mistake. * * It must be the act of the Council of the Six Nations. We will think of the proper means. We advise the Governor to send for two deputies of every Nation of the Six, either here or at Albany, to kindle a council-fire with them, to consider a way to oblige Connecticut to discountenance the deed, etc."
Daniel Claus and the Mohawks left Philadelphia on their homeward journey January 23, 1755, and reached Albany February 8th. Claus was the bearer of two letters to Colonel Johnson-one from Governor Morris and one from Richard Peters.} The following is an extract from Morris' letter :
"I heartily thank you for the part you have been so good as to take in the Connecti- cut affair. Hendrick has been very explicit on the subject, and I have entertained him and his companions in the best manner I could. You will give me leave to refer you to a letter you will receive with this, from Mr. Peters, for the particulars that have passed here, and for the plan that we have agreed to prosecute to put an end to this affair-in which I hope for the continuance of your friendly offices. You will observe, we propose that the Six Nations should be invited to send deputies to your house early in the Spring, with full powers to treat and agree upon this matter (relative to the purchase of Lydius,
* See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," VI : 278.
+ See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," VI : 277.
Į See Miner's "History of Wyoming," page 96.
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and to prevent the like for the future), when I shall send commissioners to meet them ; and it will give me particular pleasure if you will permit me to name you in the com- mission."
The following paragraphs are from the letter of Secretary Peters referred to :
"He (Hendrick ) told me you had made him a hearty friend to this Province, and would join with and support him in any measures which the Government of Pennsyl- vania should advise to get rid of this Connecticut deed. * * His Honor, the Governor, gave Hendrick a belt, with a string of wampum tied to it. By the belt he was asked to undertake, along with you, the breaking of the Connecticut deed. And for that purpose, and because there is no other way in the world to get rid of it, he was further desired to consider with you what will be the best method to procure the meeting of a Council at your house, as soon as possible, to consist of two or three deputies from each nation, and no more, in order to consult together of the most effectual manner how to do it. And by the string you are desired to convene such a Council.
"We further intimated to Hendrick, and now inform you, that to get rid of this deed we cannot devise any other method that will be effectual, unless the Six Nations in Council will execute a conveyance to the Proprietaries of all the lands lying within their grant ! * * And to show the Indians and yourself their just intention they propose to name you one of the commissioners, with Mr. Penn and myself. Hendrick seems to ap- prove much of this proposal, and I believe the more you think of the matter the more you will be persuaded that no other way can do the thing effectually. If it meets with your approbation-which I hope it will do-the Governor begs the favor of you to sum- mon a Council at your house, and leaves it to you to fix the time and take such measures with the Indians previous to the meeting as you and Hendrick shall think proper."
Before Colonel Johnson could take up the matter of the Connecti- cut deed and arrange plans for either "breaking" or ignoring it, other matters of greater importance were demanding not only his attention but that of Governor Morris of Pennsylvania. This year of 1755 afforded but a gloomy prospect for the cause of the Colonies. Never before, perhaps, had they been so boldly threatened by the combined power of the French and the Indians. In February Major General Braddock arrived in this country as Commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America ; in March Colonel Johnson was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed General Superintendent of Indian Affairs, as previously mentioned ; early in June Braddock's expedition started out, coming to a disastrous end on the 9th of July with "the greatest defeat ever suffered by the whites in frontier warfare"; in the latter part of June, in response to a call issued by John- son for a conference with the Iroquois, over 1,000 Indians assembled at Mount Johnson, when and where they were informed that Johnson- - their "Brother Warragh-i-ya-gey"-had been delegated to command a military expedition which should include 1,000 picked warriors from the Six Nations. Preparations for the expedition against Crown Point now followed ; then came-early in August-the advance of the British and Indian force's under Johnson to Lake George, where, on September 8th, occurred the battle in which "King" Hendrick lost his life. With the death of Hendrick the agents of the Pennsylvania Proprietaries lost their chief mainstay among the Six Nation Indians.
Notwithstanding the fact that all the affairs and undertakings just mentioned, as well as others of importance, were occupying the serious thought and close attention of the American public, Governor Morris continued to find time in which to fidget and fluster about Lydius and The Susquehanna Company. Under date of March 11, 1755, Governor De Lancey of New York communicated to his Council "a letter from Governor Morris of Pennsylvania desiring the countenance of this [the New York] Government in respect to a meeting of the Six Nations of
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Indians at Colonel Johnson's this Spring, where Mr. Morris proposes to treat with them by commissioners, and to purchase of them in behalf of the Proprietaries of that Province all the lands within the same, as bounded in the royal Charter. And desiring that John Lydius, who has lately made a purchase of lands within that Government, in behalf of some people of Connecticut, may be prosecuted for the same-the charges whereof he [Morris] will defray." * * In taking action on this communication the Council decided that, "as the charge against the said John Lydius is general, this Board cannot order a prosecution against him by the Attorney General, but that the Government of Pennsylvania might be at liberty to commence and carry on a prosecution against him in the King's name."*
Under date of March 25th Governor Morris wrote to Governor De Lanceyt :
"The purchase from the Six Nations of all the lands lying within the King's grant to William Penn is thought to be the only proper expedient to prevent the confusion that might arise from the wild schemes of the Connecticut people, which, if carried into execution, must destroy ye peace of other Provinces as well as that of Pennsylvania. It was the request of Hendrick that a treaty for this purpose might be held at Colonel Johnson's. * *
* I propose to take the grant, if we can agree with the Indians, in the express words of Mr. Penn's Charter, and against this I conceive you can have no objec- tions. * * * I am taking measures to obtain evidence against Lydius, and when this is laid before me and approved, I shall then renew my application and take ye legal steps agreeable to your letter, for which I return you thanks as I do for your kindness to Scarooyady and his unworthy interpreter. This chief is really a man of consequence at Ohio, and will not be thought there to have degraded himself by a too free use of ye in- toxicating cup." ¿
Under date of May 3, 1755, Governor Morris wrote to Major General (formerly Colonel) Johnson as follows§:
"You may remember the manner proposed effectually to destroy the effect of that clandestine transaction of Lydius, and to prevent the like for the future, was to invite the Six Nations to send deputies to your house to declare their sense of that deed, and to make an absolute conveyance to the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania of all the lands within the limits of their grant from the Crown. * * * I propose that, agreeably to your friendly offer of assistance in this affair, you should invite the Six Nations to your house, either solely upon this subject, or join this with the one you are to send them upon the Public Service. * * As to the consideration, I think besides a sum of money down there must be an annual payment for a certain term of years, to be agreed on at the meeting. I have orders from the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania to return you their thanks for the part you have taken."
About this time Governor Morris received from England a com- munication from the Hon. Thomas Penn, || the head of the Proprietary family. It contained, among other matters, the following :
"We are extremely satisfied with your proceedings in the Connecticut business. As for making a purchase of these worthless Indians, till they have demanded the deed
* See page.54 of "Report of the Regents' Boundary Commission Upon the New York and Pennsyl- vania Boundary," Albany, 1886.
+ See "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, II : 273, 279.
Į Early in February, 1755, Scarooyady, the "Half King" (mentioned on page 262), accompanied by other Indians and an interpreter (probably Andrew Montour, mentioned on page 206), journeyed from Philadelphia to Mount Johnson, via the cities of New York and Albany, to formally ask, in behalf of the Pennsylvania authorities, for a conference with the Six Nations relative to the purchase (as proposed) of lands within the Pennsylvania Charter limits. This delegation visited the Mohawk country, and it was while passing through Albany early in March, on their homeward journey, that the "Half King" signed . the Susquehanna Company's deed ! (See page 276.) Governor De Lancey met this delegation in New York, when they were en route to or from Albany, and under date of March 18th he wrote Governor Morris : "The interpreter is a lying knave and the chief is turned sot."
Secretary Peters, writing to Colonel Johnson in the latter part of January, 1755, relative to the intended visit of the "Half King" to Mount Johnson and the Mohawk Castles, said : "Scarooyady is a warrior, a brave and stout man, and has an aversion to the French, and wants, without any good reason, to strike them, and secretly purposes to animate the Six Nations to take part in the war. This he will do if he can, though this is not his public errand. * * * I think him a mighty good man, and worthy of all kinds of notice from the Six Nations." (See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," VI : 287.)
§ See "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, II : 298.
|| See Chapter VI for his portrait and a sketch of his life.
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from the Connecticut people, I think it is throwing away the consideration money. By Mr. Peters' account the best of them have been dishonest. * *
* When a purchase is made I would not have it in words too particular, but to extend to the northern boundary of the Province of Pennsylvania, without any mention of a degree, and will be a release of their claim to all the land within that Province. I had rather avoid making the Government of New York privy to it, as they expect we shall confine our purchase to the 42°, whereas we shall certainly expect three degrees .* I think we should insist that the Six Nations send to the Government of Connecticut and demand the deed. * * Mr. Peters gave me expectation that he would seize on Lydius and prosecute him. If that can be done, and he has the deed in possession, it might conduce to their giving it up."t
While these conditions of excitement and disturbance prevailed with the Pennsylvanians the agents and officers of The Susquehanna Company went quietly ahead about their business. They did not spend much time in writing letters and talking, but they accomplished a few things of importance to the Company. A good many new proprietors were brought into the Company, shares being disposed of in New Eng- land, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania by duly accredited agents. The following copy of a receiptt given by Colonel Lydius shows the form of certificate usually given at this period to the purchasers of shares in the Company :
"Albany, January 31, 1755. I the subscriber do hereby acknowledge to have received of Mr. JACOB BRYAN of Burlington, New Jersey, seven Spanish dollars, for which sum he is entitled to one whole share of The Susquehanna Company's Purchase, etc."
[Signed] "JOHN LYDIUS [L. S.]"
May 8, 1755, the General Assembly of Connecticut convened in regular semi-annual session at Hartford, and about the same time a meeting of The Susquehanna Company was also held there. The minutes of that meeting are not recorded in the Company's minute-book, nor are they to be found in the incomplete copy of the "Minutes of The Susquehanna Company" printed in "Pennsylvania Archives," Second Series, XVIII : 3. However, among the "Trumbull Papers" (mentioned on page 29, ante, paragraph "6") there is a transcript of the proceedings of the Company at the meeting referred to, in the handwriting of Samuel Gray, the Clerk, and duly attested by him in October, 1782. A copy of the same is now printed for the first time.
"Voted, That the Committee be impowered and desired to pursue and address the Generale Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut in behalf of this Company, for their con- tinuance and approbation of the erecting a new Colony at Susquehannah, and of our application to His Majesty for that purpose. That the said Committee do, as soon as conveniently may be, employ a suitable number of persons to go forth, in concurrence' with the Indians of whom they purchased, to erect monuments at the north-east and south-east corners of the land already purchased of said Indians. That said Committee procure to be laid out a Township, or Townships, and admit settlers therein upon such terms and under such regulations as they shall judge most advantageous for the Company and safe for the settlers. That they be impowered to build and erect a sufficient fortifi- cation, a grist-mill and saw-mill at the charge of the Company in such town, place or places as shall appear to them necessary for the encouragement and security of the first settlers. That the Committee be empowered to make any further additional purchase of land for the benefit of the Company and for the enlargement of said proposed new Colony, and take new and further deeds and conveyances of the same from the Indians in the name of the respective proprietors, or members, of said Company.
"That a seasonable address be made to His Majesty for royal grant and confirma- tion of a sufficient tract of land to said Company, and his approbation and encourage- ment of our undertaking ; and to incorporate the said Company with a Charter of privileges, immunities and government in form as near as may be of the Constitution of said Colony of Connecticut. That in order thereto a proper address from the chiefs of
* See page 245 relative to the unsettled New York and Pennsylvania boundary-line.
+ From "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, II : 370.
į From "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," VI : 293.
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the Six Nations of Indians to His Majesty be procured .* . That Col. Samuel Talcott; and Capt. Thomas Seymour be added to the present Committee, joyntly with them to carry on this affair."
Within a few days after the adoption of the foregoing resolves the Executive Committee of the Company presented to the General Assembly then in session a memorial setting forth the objects and desires of the Company. The following extracts from the proceedings of the Assem- blyt show the action then taken by that body.
"Upon petition of Phineas Lyman, Roger Wolcott, Jr., Samuel Gray and others, to the number of 850, known by the name of THE SUSQUEHANNAH COMPANY, by their agents GEORGE WYLLYS, DANIEL EDWARDS, SAMUEL TALCOTT, THOMAS SEYMOUR and ELIPHALET DYER, representing that this Colony according to the express limits of its royal Charter is in extent from the Narragansett Bay on the east to the South Sea to the west, and from the sea-shore on the south to the line of the Massachusetts Province on the north ; that within and towards the western parts of its limits are, and from time immemorial have been, large numbers of the Indian natives-commonly called the Six Nations-dwelling, improving and claiming a large extent thereof ; that a certain large parcel of such their claim-situate and lying on the waters of the Susquehannah, about seventy miles north and south, and from about ten miles east of said river extending westward two degrees of longitude-they the said natives finding not necessary for their own use, have, for very valuable considerations, been induced to relinquish and sell to the said petitioners ; and that some well-ordered plantation in so near a neighborhood to said nations might most likely be a means to cement and fix them in friendship with His Majesty's subjects ; and that they the said Indian nations are desirous such settlements might be promoted and carried on, as being conducive to their interest and safety ; and thereupon praying the consent of this Assembly, &c., thereon to erect and settle a Colony for the more effectual securing said Indians in His Majesty's dominions-
"Resolved by this Assembly, That they are of opinion that the peaceably and orderly erecting and carrying on some new and well-regulated Colony or plantation on the lands abovesaid would greatly tend to fix and secure said Indian nations in allegi- ance to His Majesty and friendship with his subjects ; and accordingly hereby manifest their ready acquiescence therein, if it should be His Majesty's royal pleasure to grant said lands to said petitioners, and thereon erect and settle a new Colony in such form and under such regulations as might be consistent with his royal wisdom ; and also take leave humbly to recommend the said petitioners to his royal favors in the premises."
We will now return to Wyoming Valley, which we left November 1, 1753-about which time the "Journeying Committee" of The Sus- quehanna Company arrived on the ground, as described on page 254.
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